Practicing the Way

A Churchwide Book Study During Epiphany

As we explored the Sermon on the Mount together last fall, our staff team was struck by the amazing—and serious—vision of the Kingdom of God that Jesus calls us to. Since then, we have been considering:

What does it look like to actually do these things?

How do we grow in this life of hearing and obeying these words of Jesus and so build our houses on the rock?

One key answer: We follow Jesus through intentional action, taking up and working out spiritual practices. We can seek to order our lives around these practices and incorporate them into our daily activity through what is often called a Rule of Life.

However, spiritual practices and following a Rule of Life are usually not second nature to us and feel new to many of us. So, we will explore this by focusing on key formational practices in Lent. Before that, though, we want to take time during this Epiphany season to learn more about these practices in preparation for Lent.

For this, we are excited to embark on a churchwide book study. During Epiphany, we are encouraging the congregation to read Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. Many of our staff have already read or are reading it. We have found it helpful and challenging, reminding us of our call to follow Christ as an apprentice, eager to be with, watch, and imitate him.

We hope you will join us in reading this book during Epiphany!

Join A Book Discussion Time

Near the end of Epiphany and before Lent begins, we will have opportunities to gather at Church of the Cross and discuss the book together for one-hour sessions. You can sign up for one of the discussion times here.

• Monday, February 17 at 7:00pm

• Sunday, February 23 at 10:45am

• Wednesday, February 26 at 7:00pm

Spiritual Practices We’ll Consider

• Fasting

• Reading & Engaging Scripture

• Solitude

• Generosity

• Witness

• Community (life in the Body of Christ)

Share Your Testimony

We want to hear from you as we explore these spiritual practices together! Let us know how you have grown, been shaped, or blessed through a spiritual practice by filling out this short form. As you share on that form, you can let us know if this is just a testimony for the pastors to see or if this is something you are willing to have shared with the church more broadly.

Please consider using the form to tell us about one spiritual discipline you practiced, how you did it, and what it meant for you. We are not looking for an “ideal” answer; we want to hear honestly about what you are doing and how it works for you. Your experience can encourage and help others know and love God even more.